In addition to the Sierra Club NJ's ACTION ALERT we commented on earlier today, here are some headlines:

Climate / Business

Carbon Rights Auction. NJ to, join carbon auction as part of regional climate group. Companies in NJ -- mainly utilities -- are participate in the auction for the first time today as part of the RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), results coming Friday 12/19, and full report of details Jan 6. Good summary by Michelle Lee for the Press of Atlantic City. Ditto James O'Neill for The Record. (hat tip Blue Jersey)

Carbon Exchange in NJ. The Record's Hugh Morley profiles the Global Emissions Exchange (GEX), launched eight months ago by Closter resident Philip Gotthelf and Fort Lee resident Nathan Guedalia. The exchange caters to small-time ("retail") investors & traders -- unlike the other carbon exchanges that cater to institutions -- who want to buy and sell the right to pollute. The greater the demand for carbon credits, the higher the price goes, and the more incentive companies have to cut emissions and sell the associated credits. "Gottheif believes his [exchange] is the first to allow small businesses and individuals to trade gas reduction credits, such as those generated when someone uses energy efficient light bulbs or a fuel-efficient car," says The Record. The profile also focuses on Boonton-based First Environment. (hat tip Shore11)

"Green Buildings." U.S. Green Building Council hires a director -- Florence Block -- to run its growing NJ chapter. EnviroPolitics Blog writes, "The NJ chapter of the USGBC, which has seen its membership mushroom to 770 individuals and 650 companies since it started in 2002, has outgrown its volunteer-based member management and hired an executive director."

Wood-Fired Boilers. "Forums in Warren, Hunterdon counties discuss Department of Environmental Protection oversight of[outdoor] wood-fired boilers." Sarah Wojcik of The Express-Times writes, that with many people concerned about DEP oversight, "About 150 people were present Monday at West Amwell, NJ, and more than 200 attended Tuesday evening in Washington [Township]. Along with residents, NJDEP officials and county health board officials attended."

Preservation

Wal-Mart. Come one, come all? As construction on a new Wal-Mart starts in Raritan Township, it's worth remembering the strong environmental arguments against Wal-Mart's plans in Little Egg Harbor. I wrote about it in the middle of the following article: Troubling 'Developments' on NJ Coast. A Time To Act.

Beachfront. The NJ Supreme Court has ruled that the State will need to take a more difficult route to get the ability to replenish beachfronts. Oceanfront homeowners won't be forced to get permanent easements to allow the DEP to replenish beaches -- eminent domain will need to be used. Articles such as this one in the Press of Atlantic City are presenting the court ruling as a victory for owners of beach front property -- but postponing beachfront replenishment can make matters worse for the homeowners. And of course, in the long run, replenishing beaches only pushes the incoming ocean to nearby beaches.

Power Lines / Highlands. Low turnout at last night's PSE&G public meeting in Newton (recorded in my Calendar) to discuss its plan to cut power lines through the Highlands says Fred Snowflack for The Daily Record: "In fact, there were more PSE&G officials than there were residents." The next major step will be meetings before the Board of Public Utilities -- many environmental groups have lined up against the new high-voltage power line plan through the Highlands.

Preservation -- Greater State Matching. "The Hazlet Open Space Advisory Council recently completed its Open Space Recreation Plan that would serve as a wish list of possible properties for preservation, said Annie Eng, who sits on the board.... The plan will be submitted to Green Acres for filing," says The Courier. (hat tip The Inside Clamdigger). Eng told The Courier "This is the first completed [Open Space Recreation] Plan ever" and should result in Green Acres giving 75% of the funding instead of 50%, the article says. I plan to look into this a bit further.

Students Aid Preservation. "Bordentown City: Students' proposals mark first step for new parks." Geoffrey Wertime of The Register News writes, "Students from Delaware Valley College presented their plans for three areas of parkland along the Blacks Creek Greenway to a number of local residents and officials and donated the ideas to the city last week."

Preservation. Paulinskill Wildlife Management Area gains 205 more acres, writes Christina Tatu at NJ Herald. (hat tip Shore11)

Wildlife Damage

Endangered Species. Red knot shorebirds move closer to endangered list. Kirk Moore for the Asbury Park Press. (hat tip Blue Jersey)

Bat fungus may be heading for N.J, reports Bruce Scruton for NJ Herald. The disease has wiped out as much as 95% of the bats. Bats down -- insects up.

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